Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

HAROLD ORDISH (1874-1945) born Dandendong VIC, the son of Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Ordish. He served with distinction in the Boer War as Private 104, 1st South African Contingent – promoted to Lance-Corporal in November 1899, Lance-Sergeant on February 1st, 1900 and Acting C.S.M. On May 1st, 1900. Served throughout the Boer War, gaining the South African Medal with five bars. He was on staff at the Royal Military College Duntroon when he enlisted to join the Anzac forces in WW1 on February 23rd, 1916. (Duntroon had became the home of the Royal Military Academy on June 27th, 1911 with 41 cadets – 10 of whom came from New Zealand). Promoted to Lieutenant on April 1st, 1916, and Captain the same day, He boarded the HMAT A11 Ascanius in Melbourne in May 1916 as Commanding Officer. By the time he was listed for return to Australia he had received the DSO, and the rank of Major (June 3rd, 1917). He served with the 10th Machine Gun Company, 38th Battalion. Mentioned in Dispatches (twice) by Sir Douglas Haig for conspicuous service in France when he was divisional machine gun officer. Selected to attend an officer's training school in England. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Appointment terminated May 1st, 1920 and had returned to Australia on board the Friedricherah on January 22nd that year. He was at one time the President of the Dunedoo sub-branch of the RSL. He also performed military duties in WW2. At one stage of his career he was CO of Randwick base. He also represented Australia at the Coronation march through London in honour of King Edward.
"Major Harold Ordish, who appears in the King's Birthday honour list as the recipient of the Distinguished Service Order, is one of the comparatively few former members of the permanent staff to have had the opportunity to distinguish themselves in the war. He served as a staff sergeant-major until 1914, and was promoted warrant-officer just before the outbreak of the war joining the Australian Imperial Force he was attached to the machine gun Section of the 38th Battalion, served on Gallipoli, gained his commission in 1915, and was promoted major on 3rd June, 1917, when serving at Messines. He has been mentioned twice in dispatches. He also holds the Queen's and Kings Medals, with five bars, for service in the South African war. Major Ordish was one of the Commonwealth representatives at the coronation of King George and later gained a certificate with distinction in machine gunnery at the Hythe SchooI of Musketry, England. He was a private in the old Victorian Rangers. His wife lives in Ballarat."